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Aerospace Design & Certification Ltd, “aeroDAC”, a UK based EASA-approved part 21 design organisation, with capabilities in every aspect of aerospace design, aircraft certification and approval has teamed up with Freedom in the Air to work on the Supplement Type Certificate (STCs) for the hand control. The hand controls are for pilots with lower limb disabilities developed by scientists at Cranfield University School of Aerospace Engineering. AeroDAC have an extensive scope of approval under their DOA, which includes the privilege to approve flight conditions and issue permits to fly.

The three year project started when Gautam Lewis, a trainee pilot at Cranfield Flying School, approached the University to help him design a better control device. Gautam, who contracted polio as a child, currently relies on a rudder hand control from Australia that he has to shift up and down to move the plane from side to side. The novel idea behind Cranfield’s design is that it is more intuitive and uses a sideways motion to control the plane from side to side. Its design means it can be fitted to a number of aircraft including Cessna’s 172, 152 and the Piper PA28 Warrior and Cherokee.

Freedom in the Air (FITA) is a new, unique and exciting aviation Not-for-profit Community Interest Company. FITA is committed to opening horizons for people with disabilities so that they can fly higher socially, physically and professionally. Flying is one of the few activities where disabled people can participate to the same degree as an able-bodied person. The exhilarating experience rebuilds confidence and restores self-esteem. This, in turn, empowers people to explore their potential by extending their personal boundaries. In the air, we all fly at the same speed; nobody is disadvantaged or disabled.

EASA accepted the initial application for the STC in January 2011 which will be certified in all 31 EASA member countries. Our vision is that any person with a disability needing hand controls should be able to go to their nearest flying school and learn to fly and experience that boundless possibilities that you can only see and learn through flying.  This hand control will be the first of its kind and a great milestone in pioneering aviation for people with disabilities. Freedom in the Air is very proud to be associated with Aerodac - Please visit -  http://www.freedomintheair.org to learn more about the work of FITA